KEY POINTS
- An e-hailing driver was shot multiple times after a robbery.
- Suspects forced his car to stop before gunning him down.
- Police are investigating if he was killed for identifying them.
A 30-year-old e-hailing driver was shot and killed in Zwelisha, Verulam, on Tuesday, leaving the community in shock.
Police are investigating whether he was targeted for witnessing a robbery at a car wash in Amaoti just moments before his death.
Authorities say the driver was ambushed while trying to escape, shot multiple times, and left for dead on a residential property. His silver Toyota Etios was found abandoned nearby, riddled with damage from being rammed off the road.
The brutal killing has raised concerns about rising crime in KwaZulu-Natal, with many questioning whether criminals are silencing witnesses to avoid being identified.
Gunmen ambush and kill driver in cold blood
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Col. Robert Netshiunda confirmed that Verulam police have opened a murder case.
The victim was reportedly blocked by a vehicle carrying five armed men. When he realized he was in danger, he jumped out of his car and ran. But the attackers chased him down, shooting him multiple times before fleeing the scene.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) officers arrived to find his body lying in a prone position. Several 9mm shell casings were scattered around him, indicating a targeted execution.
Eyewitnesses said the victim had been at a local car wash just before the attack, where a group of men in a silver Suzuki allegedly carried out an armed robbery.
Soon after he drove away, the same vehicle reportedly followed him, ramming his car multiple times as they entered Zwelisha. The suspects eventually forced him to stop before pulling the trigger.
Police have not yet confirmed whether the murder was directly linked to the robbery, but the possibility remains a focus of the investigation.
Community mourns and demands justice
The killing has sparked outrage on social media, with many expressing heartbreak and frustration over the ongoing violence in the area.
“This is so heartbreaking; he was probably killed because he could identify them,” one Facebook user commented. Others shared similar sentiments, calling for justice and increased safety measures for e-hailing drivers.
Residents fear that such crimes are becoming more common, especially against those who unknowingly witness criminal activities.
Several people demand that authorities increase both witness protection measures and enforcement against violent criminals.
The ongoing investigation requires public assistance from those who possess information about the incident, according to police officials.
People in the community remain unsure whether the victim died from an accidental tragedy or someone murdered him because he had access to valuable information.
